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It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

Understanding the Costs of Adoption
For many families, the financial aspect of preparation is the most daunting. Adoption often comes at a significant cost. Prospective parents field questions from family and friends who wonder “Why is adoption so expensive?”

The State of Grandfamilies in AmericaThis report from Generations United identifies key state laws and policies specifically designed to address barriers and better support grandparents and other relatives raising children.

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

An Online Space for Youth in Foster Care
The Think of Us Storyboard Project encourages youth to share their stories through written formats and visual media, such as video. The program also includes workshops and coaching to show youth how to effectively tell their stories, as well as a school-to-work curriculum that helps youth develop and strengthen their interview skills.

“From the first day I received foster care placement of my son, then three months old, I sang him ‘You are My Sunshine’ constantly. But I always skipped over the ‘Please don’t take my sunshine away’ part. I’d fallen in love with him the moment our eyes met, and the thought of letting him go was devastating. But it wasn’t about me. And for his sake, I wished for a happy healthy reunification. But it just wasn’t meant to be. A couple of years passed and I was asked if I’d be willing to adopt. A couple more years passed, and we had an adoption date. I remember every detail of that day. He wore little cuffed corduroys, an oxford shirt, and suede wingtips. I remember family and friends with balloons and cameras at the ready. I remember the judge letting him bang the gavel to finalize his own adoption.

“I remember walking out of Children’s Court on what should have been the happiest day of my life feeling the most unexpected profound sadness.

“How could everyone around us be celebrating? Didn’t they understand the depth of his loss? He no longer “legally” had siblings. His ties to his birth family have been severed. What must they be feeling today? And who could possibly understand the grief I’m feeling?”

Post Adoption Depression. Surely such a thing can’t exist for new adoptive parents? The finalization of an adoption is the happy ending to what has often been a lengthy, nerve-wracking, emotional roller coaster ride. What possible reason could there be to be depressed when it finally ends?

There are a number of reasons that new parents might experience post-adoption depression, including:

Adoption may highlight unresolved fertility issues

You may not feel an immediate bond with your child, as you expected

The reality of parenting may not match expectations as you’d imagined them

You’ve experienced a major life change that requires an adjustment period

You may have a relationship with the birth family and cannot help but feel for their loss, even if they have voluntarily relinquished parental rights

Many new adoptive parents might feel reluctant to reach out for help, because most have spent a great deal of time and energy convincing their adoption worker what a great home they can provide for a child. A big step in coping with post-adoption depression is knowing you are not alone and seeking out help. Parenting is hard, for ANY parent. It rarely comes as “naturally” as we imagine it would, for both mothers and fathers.

Please know that you don’t have to go through your journey along. The Coalition for Children, Youth & Families is here to help and support you and your whole family. For more information on post-adoption and other resources, please contact us.

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

Raising a Child of Color in America – While White
Our country is far from a “post-racial” society, as this last year has demonstrated. How can you ensure that your child will grow up feeling safe, secure in his identity, and close to your family? Commit to calling out racism and fighting injustice wherever you see it.

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

The January edition of Adoption Advocate is always dedicated to presenting NCFA’s policy priorities for the coming year and related legislation. NCFA rarely endorses specific legislation, but instead prioritizes educating key legislators and policymakers on the policies and practices that will provide essential services and the best possible support for children outside permanent family care, adopted individuals, birth parents, and adoptive families. As we outline our priorities in this article, we will also take the opportunity to mention current pending legislation related to those priorities.

How to Adopt from Foster Care
Every one of the 107,918 children currently waiting in U.S. foster care deserves a stable, loving, permanent home. What about yours?

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

10 Things Young People Want You to Know: Child welfare professionals work for—and on behalf of—young people who often feel ignored. This reality makes it all the more important that youth feel like their opinion matters and that they are a part of choosing their family.

The National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (no longer in operation) and the Virginia Department of Social Services combined efforts to publish a document titled, “Ten Things that Youth Want Child Welfare Professionals to Know: Engaging Youth in Foster Care” (PDF – 185 KB). These tips came from youth who had been adopted and youth still in foster care who shared their experiences and advice. The tips touch on youth’s requests that workers listen to their opinion, involve them in creating their permanency plan, and build trust with them.

The common theme is that youth desire to be heard and involved in their own permanency.

Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma: Children who have experienced traumatic events need to feel safe and loved. All parents want to provide this kind of nurturing home for their children. However, when parents do not have an understanding of the effects of trauma, they may misinterpret their child’s behavior and end up feeling frustrated or resentful. Their attempts to address troubling behavior may be ineffective or, in some cases, even harmful.

This factsheet discusses the nature of trauma, its effects on children and youth, and ways to help your child. By increasing your understanding of trauma, you can help support your child’s healing, your relationship with him or her, and your family as a whole.

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

Four Critical Elements of Connection: All learning begins with connection! Connections on the outside (with other people) actually create and strengthen neural connections within the brain. Eye contact, presence, touch and a playful setting are the four core components required to truly connect with others. Learn how to provide all four essential elements (and why) with this helpful guide.

Adoption Disruption: The Elephant in the Room
Disruption. I’ve always hated that word when referring to adoption. A movie might be disrupted by a noisy patron; a bus service line might be disrupted by a mechanical failure; sleep might be disrupted by a thunderstorm. But to ‘disrupt’ an adoption signifies something much greater.

In 2016, America could finally have clear, nationwide information about the success rate of adoptions from foster care. But will it tell the whole story?

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.

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Upcoming Events

Camp to Belong WisconsinAugust 13, 2017 – August 18, 2017Camp Anokijig, W5639 Anokijig Ln, Plymouth, WI 53073, USAWhat happens at camp? Camp To Belong -Wisconsin Inc. is much like any other summer camp program with swimming, horseback riding, boating, hiking, archery, arts & crafts, theatre, and fishing. What makes CTB–WI special? Brothers and sisters spend quality time together in special activities that promote the sibling relationship, which include: Scrapbooking: All campers leave…

Foster Care, Treatment Foster Care, and Respite Foster Care Information MeetingAugust 19, 2017 at 9:00 AM – 10:30 AMMilwaukee 76th Street Community Services, 620 S 76th St #120, Milwaukee, WI 53214, USAFoster Care: Provides a temporary family and home for a child until they can be safely reunited with their biological family. Treatment Foster Care: Provides a temporary family and home for children with elevated emotional, behavioral, physical or medical challenges. Respite Foster Care: Provides temporary child care for our foster parents. Due to the sensitive…

New Foster/Adoptive Family Orientation MeetingAugust 19, 2017 at 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMMilwaukee Public Library Bay View Branch, 2566 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USAFor more information or to register, contact 855-GROW-HOPE or growhope@sainta.org. Or you can register from the calendar at www.growhope.net. Please note: Due to the sensitive content covered during orientation, only adults should attend.

Occupational Therapy for those with Sensory Deficits (De Pere)August 19, 2017 at 10:30 AM – 12:00 PMBrown County Library - Kress Family Branch, 333 N Broadway St, De Pere, WI 54115, USAThe Post Adoption Resource Center of Family Services invites all parents, and professionals, to attend a free workshop entitled, “Occupational Therapy for those with Sensory Deficits.” The workshop will include a brief overview of the 7 sensory systems and what dysfunction may look like in regards to those systems. Information on how Occupational Therapy can…

Mom's Night Out (La Crosse)August 21, 2017 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMBurrachos Fresh Mexican Grill, 9432 WI-16, Onalaska, WI 54650, USAJoin us for our next Mom's Night Out in the La Crosse area. We will meet up at Burrachos and eat out on the patio! Two lucky attendees that night will win dinner on us. Register online so your name can be entered in the drawing and if you win, we will buy you dinner!…